The points of issue
Garland Publishing, New York, 1982, first edition. Selected essays. Issued as a scholarly hardcover in publisher's cloth; copies are generally found without a dust jacket. There is no number line to confirm printing, so identify by the 1982 Garland imprint on the title and copyright pages.
Is this the true first?
True first is the 1982 Garland Publishing edition; a collection of selected essays.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None notable. An advance/review state exists in unbound signatures.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of God Made Alaska for the Indians a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Garland Publishing, New York, 1982, first edition. Selected essays. Issued as a scholarly hardcover in publisher's cloth; copies are generally found without a dust jacket. There is no number line to confirm printing, so identify by the 1982 Garland imprint on the title and copyright pages.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. True first is the 1982 Garland Publishing edition; a collection of selected essays.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None notable. An advance/review state exists in unbound signatures.
I have a first edition of God Made Alaska for the Indians — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.